[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 226 (Friday, November 22, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64441-64443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25224]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0906; Product Identifier 2019-NE-31-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines Turbofan
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE) PW1133G-JM, PW1133GA-
JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1127G-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1127G1-JM,
PW1124G-JM, PW1124G1-JM, and PW1122G-JM model turbofan engines. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports of failures of certain low-pressure
turbine (LPT) 3rd-stage blades. This proposed AD would require
replacement of the affected LPT 3rd-stage blades. The FAA is proposing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 6,
2020.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact
International Aero Engines, LLC, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT
06118; phone: 800-565-0140; email: [email protected]; internet: https://fleetcare.pw.utc.com. You may view this service information at the
FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0906; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin M. Clark, Aerospace Engineer,
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone:
781-238-7088; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 64442]]
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2019-0906;
Product Identifier 2019-NE-31-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
NPRM because of those comments.
The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide.
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Discussion
The FAA received several reports of failures of the affected LPT
3rd-stage blades. These failures appear to be caused by debris passing
through the engine. The manufacturer has determined the need to replace
any affected LPT 3rd-stage blade with an LPT blade made of a different
material that is less susceptible to impact damage. This condition, if
not addressed, could result in uncontained release of the LPT 3rd-stage
blades, failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and
loss of the airplane.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin PW1000G-C-72-00-
0111-00A-930A-D, Issue No. 002, dated October 18, 2019. The service
information describes procedures for removal of the affected LPT 3rd-
stage blades and their replacement with parts eligible for
installation.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is proposing this AD because the Agency evaluated all the
relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same
type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require removal from service of LPT 3rd-
stage blades part/number (P/N) 5387343, 5387493, 5387473, or 5387503,
and their replacement with parts eligible for installation.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 65 engines
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replace set of LPC 3rd-stage 0 work-hours x $85 $750,000 per blade $750,000 $48,750,000
blades. per hour = $0. set.
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Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, the FAA certifies this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
International Aero Engines Turbofan Engines: Docket No. FAA-2019-
0906; Product Identifier 2019-NE-31-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by January 6, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to International Aero Engines (IAE) PW1133G-JM,
PW1133GA-JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1127G-JM, PW1127GA-JM,
PW1127G1-JM, PW1124G-JM, PW1124G1-JM, and PW1122G-JM turbofan model
engines with low-pressure turbine (LPT) 3rd-stage blades, part
number
[[Page 64443]]
(P/N) 5387343, 5387493, 5387473 or 5387503, installed.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of failure of certain LPT 3rd-
stage blades. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of these
LPT 3rd-stage blades. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in uncontained release of the LPT 3rd-stage blades, failure
of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and loss of the
airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
At the next engine shop visit after the effective date of this
AD, remove from service any LPT 3rd-stage blade, P/N 5387343,
5387493, 5387473, or 5387503, and replace with a part eligible for
installation.
(h) Definitions
(1) For the purpose of this AD, an ``engine shop visit'' is the
induction of an engine into the shop for maintenance involving the
separation of pairs of major mating engine flanges, except that the
separation of engine flanges solely for the purposes of
transportation of the engine without subsequent engine maintenance
does not constitute an engine shop visit.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for
installation'' is any LPT 3rd-stage blade that does not have a P/N
5387343, 5387493, 5387473, or 5387503.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the
certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. You may email your
request to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Kevin M. Clark,
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 781-238-7088; fax: 781-238-7199;
email: [email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
International Aero Engines, LLC, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, CT,
06118; phone: 800-565-0140; email: [email protected]; internet:
https://fleetcare.pw.utc.com. You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 15, 2019.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-25224 Filed 11-21-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P